Daala
What is Daala?
For those who may be familiar with video encoding, Daala is a new method in video coding that has been designed to bring changes to the way the video codec sector has been running in the past. It is a creation that has come about as a result of efforts from Mozilla Foundation, Xiph.org and a host of other contributors- all of whom have excellent skills in the sector. It is hoped that the combined efforts of all these renowned players in video coding will ensure that the end product will be top notch in performance because it is expected to revolutionize video coding completely by introducing higher levels of efficiency in video compression than has been witnessed in the past.
Before the introduction of Daala video codec, the most common form of video encoding relied heavily on the discrete cosine transform system which many acknowledge had issues especially of frequently blocking artifacts. The good news about this new method is that it is absolutely free for anyone interested in using. This is because Xiph and Mozilla have invested to have it made. Considering the rapid uptake of most reputable open source applications, this one is also likely to take the market by storm within a very short time. Both Mozilla and Xiph have a good understanding of the market and that will push the video codec faster than is normally possible.
What is the brief history behind Daala?
The Daala video codec is a relatively new one in the market even though Xiph and Mozilla are not. For this reason, it does not have a very long history to report. All the same, the video coding application is about one year old because its initial design and creation dates back to only the year 2013. Even though the concept was conceived much earlier than 2013, it is worth pointing out that it was not until may of 2013 that the first prototype of Daala was released and used to successfully stream videos as anticipated over the internet. All the credit from the testing and subsequent release went to the two major contributors Xiph.org and Mozilla. As compared to the other video codecs (HEVC and VP9, the new video compression tool proved to be better and many of the first users readily acknowledged that it actually streamed videos better than many already existing applications.
The application has received more praises than ridicule if reports by Xiph.org from users who have had the privilege of trying Daala video compression out are anything to go by. This means that trends are changing in favor of this new video compression application. The organizations involved in its production and distribution have made sure this application has undergone some of the finest checks to ensure it meets the market’s expectations. Mozilla as a non-profit body and Xiph.org are both reputable and nothing less was to be expected out of their combined efforts.
How exactly does the Daala video codec work?
For starters, it is important to explain that one thing that makes the Daala video codec stand out from the others is that it works with virtually almost all available platforms. The technique has also stood out because it basically allows filtering either before or after the lapping. Due to these features, many users so far find this application very robust. This probably could be the reason many video coders find it a better option in spite of the short time it has been around. A major advantage of dealing with Daala as opposed to some video encoding applications that have been in the market is that it is an open source application. This means that everyone interested in learning about it and probably exploiting its existence can do so without having to consider financial capacity.
Because the world is becoming more open thanks to internet and the latest technological innovations, files in different formats are easily relayed over the internet and this necessitates the demand for video compression codec such as the one developed by Xiph.org and Mozilla. Music files are no longer composed only of audio but video as well. This is mainly because the technological innovations have made it very easy to relay both audio and video files without having to incur extra costs. Standard requirements now dictate that music and video files need to be packaged and sold online. This not only makes them easily accessible even for free but escalates the demand for video encoding applications that can help keep the files online. Mozilla is is doing much more than only helping by developing and distributing free software for internet users in browsing. This is yet another initiative that the company will look back on in years to come and feel proud about.
How is the Daala video codec likely to affect the market?
The video encoding market is not about to get depleted any time soon. This is because more people are leaving the old methods of file handling for different reasons. There is still an influx of files from various platforms all converging at the online one and this means an increased demand for video codecs. A good video compression tool will only enhance or speed up the uptake of videos and other similar file formats on the online platform. One thing, however, is for sure. The video compression tool will make it easier for anyone interested in video encoding to do it without having to worry so much about where to find a reliable open source application to use.
You can still make money through video encoding even when the tool is available absolutely for free. People keen on making videos for any reason will have it easier and the rates for video compression and video codec are also likely to come down because video encoding tools will be available for free. Unlike in some sectors where free things are considered low quality, the situation here is rather different. Many people can attest to the fact that Mozilla Firefox is still one of the best and most preferred internet browsers even though it is an open source application. This should be a testimony to the fact that whatever video codec Xiph.org and Mozilla have come together to create will not be a bad product after all. This is because the two companies behind the video codec together with other minor contributors in the video compression project have a good reputation when it comes to application development. A major change in video codec to look out for includes a drastic improvement in the quality of videos and other file formats that require video encoding to operate.
Coconut should support Daala soon, so stay tuned!